HOLIDAY CHARITY DRIVES IN NASSAU COUNTY, LONG ISLAND

The following charitable organizations are accepting donations throughout the holiday season for needy families in Nassau County, Long Island.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island

Levittown: 516-731-7880

Icelandia: 631-273-1469

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island is currently accepting age-appropriate donations for underprivileged area teens in time for the holiday season. These donations could include gift cards to stores like Gap, Old Navy, Target, and Wal-Mart, as well as electronic games, bath and makeup sets, jewelry, iPods, and more. Financial donations are also accepted. All donations must be made by Dec. 14. Call Mark Cox for more details at (516) 731-7880, ext. 13.

Best known for dressing up as Santa Claus every Christmas and handing out toys to needy children, "Big" Tom Berg passed away last year after a tragic motorcycling accident. This year, Big Tom's friends and family are asking Long Island residents in Nassau and Suffolk to donate new, unwrapped toys in his memory in this drive they plan on making an annual event. Participants may drop off gifts on Saturday, December 18 from 8pm to midnight at two locations. See website for details and drop-off locations.

BounceU Farmingdale

Farmingdale; 631-777-5867

BounceU is sponsoring a Holiday Toy Drive running from November 22 through December 20. They will be collecting new, unused toys to donate to the Marine Corp's Toys for Tots program. Participants will receive $2 off any Open Bounce Session.

Organized by the Town of Oyster Bay and the Nassau Cleaners Association, the Coats for Kids coat drive asks community members to donate gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves to needy children and adults throughout Oyster Bay. Drop-off points are the following: Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay; Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa; Town Department of Public Works, 150 Miller Place, Syosset; and The Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage. This drive also runs through December 15.

John Theissen Children's Foundation 19th Annual Toy Drive

Levittown and West Babylon; 516-679-5098

The organization will be holding its 19th Annual Toy Drive over the holidays. With multiple drop-off locations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the drive aims to provide sick and underprivileged children in Long Island with toys for the holidays. The website provides a complete list of drop-off locations and dates.

This holiday toy drive, sponsored by the US Marine Corps, runs through December 15. Toys for Tots asks participants to donate new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to children in need throughout the community. Drop-off points are the following: Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay; Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa; Town Department of Public Works, 150 Miller Place, Syosset; and The Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage.